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I must be getting older - starting to want the stuff I saw but couldn't have as a kid/young man

AJMBLAZER

AJMBLAZER

Better to be lucky than good.
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Anybody else notice this?

I turned 16 in 1994. I grew up with big, lifted trucks mud bogging or going to The Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan. Even non-enthusiasts had trucks and SUV's just for driving around in Michigan winters. I remember starting to see sport trucks and low riders, not understanding them but seeing them, and then vaguely hearing of people out west doing weird things with Jeeps.
Joined the Marines in '97 and spent the next four years mostly in San Diego, CA. Read Four Wheeler and 4-Wheel & Off-Road, discovered forums including this one, and saw a prerunner for the first time. Discovered the desert and rocky trails. Went on to own a variety of 4x4's from small Japanese 4x4's to a CUCV M1008 1 ton on 38's to my wife's luxury SUV Yukon (I specifically ordered it so it has low range!).

I'm 47 now. (Holy shit how did that happen?) Haven't wheeled in years due to adulting and life. Stopped subscribing and reading the magazines and most of the other forums except this one after my kids were born and I lacked time to idly do such things. Indulged other hobbies a bit. My DD is a hybrid AWD SUV. My knees click and pop and my back hurts.
Now I'm hopefully a few years from having a play toy K5. Something to drive on my days off, make loud noises, do general truck things with (although you'd be surprised what fits in a RAV4 when you try), and just enjoy.
At one point I wanted flexible suspension on big tires. I wanted long travel suspension for whoops. I've also favored big tires and no/low lift.

Now, I'm looking at trucks with lifts. Big Blocks in stock trucks. Also eyeballing fancy packages. Looking up vintage accessories of dubious value. 25 year old me would have raised an eyebrow and judged me harshly. Meanwhile I want the things I saw but couldn't have when I was younger.

Anybody else living this now as we age?
 
I never gave it up to want it later. But my kid came early when I was broke young adult and is now an adult. I funded most of my hobbies by buying parts rigs and selling off extra parts so I would break even or make a little with parts I needed being left over. I put in a lot of work to have my old trucks rather than money.

As a mid-lifer now, I can afford my projects with no kids at home. What I didn't do well was set aside retirement funds when I was younger. So now, the need to catch up there does play into the project budget, so I still buy parts trucks and trade time instead of money.
 
I’m 10+ years older than you now and still trying to build my own “giant 4x4”
I’ve got the basics. Big engine, big axles, big tires, low gears, blah, blah, blah.
I just want it to run and drive.
My kids keep saying they want it when I kick the pail. Not a one of them
Is interested in helping me assemble this beast. There’s nothing left stock about it.
The money comes as I can find it. Trying to save for retirement has proved futile at best.
 
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You ain’t getting any younger. It ain’t gonna be any easier. We are figuring this out many years too late. There is no time like the present. Working your life away to enjoy some time after your best self has been worked to the bone is a big fat lie. Do it now.
It doesn’t have to be a fire breathing k30 but it helps.
Enjoy your time. Live it, eat it, breathe it. Tomorrow isn’t always gonna be there.
 
That's part of why I have my RAV4 now. I needed a good mpg, reliable commuter - not another $40-50,000 new pickup to do the same thing at half the mpg. My oldest has an expensive hobby and I just realized a year ago that it wasn't smart to keep going like I am with another truck when I could get something more "sensible", save money, and help move this stuff forward.
 
obijuank5 said:
You ain’t getting any younger. It ain’t gonna be any easier. We are figuring this out many years too late. There is no time like the present. Working your life away to enjoy some time after your best self has been worked to the bone is a big fat lie. Do it now.
It doesn’t have to be a fire breathing k30 but it helps.
Enjoy your time. Live it, eat it, breathe it. Tomorrow isn’t always gonna be there.
Click to expand...
I learned that growing up during a war.
I have lived every phase of my life to the best of my ability.
Just like @kennyw I bought trucks and resold or parted out to finance my hobby, I still do.
I cannot say I waited for anything until I got more comfortable, just made it happen.
 
I'm still trying to teach myself to not pick up additional projects. Not how my brain works, but I've tried very hard to narrow down my scope at least. A couple of vehicles and home projects to dedicate my time to, even though the time is spread among 30 sub-projects on each one. But the learning never gets old. If nothing else I'm not in a hurry, so tons of analysis and planning means I can often wait until a good deal pops up, or something new comes along in the mean time that solves whatever problem I foresee. I have a stockpile of parts for projects, so even if money got tighter, I'd still be able to accomplish some things.

One difference now is that I see the value in getting what I want and not compromising anymore than necessary. Doesn't mean I can afford whatever I want, just that I can afford to buy the item with the better reviews instead of just the lowest priced item. I also embrace technology more than I used to. 20 years back everything was going to be basic, carbed, and old. Driving a car to work every day that I can rely on is a lot more enjoyable than staying up until midnight so I can get to work the next day, and it leaves more time for the other projects. But adding some modern functionality to the old vehicles is fun, and I actually care what happens with my older vehicles. I'd rather not expose them to the dangers of daily driving anymore. I have zero emotional attachment to my daily, but don't tell it that.

My thing now is really just getting to retirement so I have the time to dedicate to projects. Probably end up working a minimum of seven more years (shh, hoping I get laid off so I am eligible to draw early retirement which could net me four years more freedom) and in that time continue to plus the retirement funds up so that when that happens, I have both the time and money to get these projects done the way I want. It's a bit of self control, knowing that what money I don't spend now, is going to be (hopefully) exponentially more when the time comes. The big decision is going to be whether I move or not when I'm done working. I've got a pretty good setup where I am now, and the topography of the state is impossible to beat, but the costs of the privilege of living in Washington has continued to increase to the point that going somewhere else would probably save me hundreds of dollars a month, and that's hard to stomach when looking at being on a fixed income.
 
I had to take a serious look at want vs dreams. I used to say want vs need. None of it is need.
Since so many of the off road areas near me are gone, 4x4 was no longer mandatory. Enclosed and a little bit of comfort would be nice, so decided against a jeep type ride. A boat would be awesome, but that’s an entire ‘nother pile of money. Hot rod would be cool, but limited use. As much as I still want all of those, I had to pick one.
Ended up on a classic truck or an El Camino.

I guess that’s the long way of saying, yes, I’m there with you. :thumb:
I’m also happier with only having one project (with multiple sub projects & the usual house projects, too).
 
I almost feel the opposite. As the prices of things keeps getting higher, it's more like I'm just adding to the list of things I'll never have. I remember there being multiple Grand Nationals for sale in town maybe late 90's, early 2000's for like $4k. Now they're more like $40k. That's just one example.
 
Blue85 said:
I almost feel the opposite. As the prices of things keeps getting higher, it's more like I'm just adding to the list of things I'll never have. I remember there being multiple Grand Nationals for sale in town maybe late 90's, early 2000's for like $4k. Now they're more like $40k. That's just one example.
Click to expand...
I had a Turbo T-Type, 84, got it with 70K on it for $1900. Drove it for a few years after college, fixed a couple minor things, put new tires on it, and sold it in 2003 for double the price with 97k on it right after buying the K10.

There are still deals out there today, just harder and harder to find, and you pay more and they need more work.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Anybody else notice this?

I turned 16 in 1994. I grew up with big, lifted trucks mud bogging or going to The Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan. Even non-enthusiasts had trucks and SUV's just for driving around in Michigan winters. I remember starting to see sport trucks and low riders, not understanding them but seeing them, and then vaguely hearing of people out west doing weird things with Jeeps.
Joined the Marines in '97 and spent the next four years mostly in San Diego, CA. Read Four Wheeler and 4-Wheel & Off-Road, discovered forums including this one, and saw a prerunner for the first time. Discovered the desert and rocky trails. Went on to own a variety of 4x4's from small Japanese 4x4's to a CUCV M1008 1 ton on 38's to my wife's luxury SUV Yukon (I specifically ordered it so it has low range!).

I'm 47 now. (Holy shit how did that happen?) Haven't wheeled in years due to adulting and life. Stopped subscribing and reading the magazines and most of the other forums except this one after my kids were born and I lacked time to idly do such things. Indulged other hobbies a bit. My DD is a hybrid AWD SUV. My knees click and pop and my back hurts.
Now I'm hopefully a few years from having a play toy K5. Something to drive on my days off, make loud noises, do general truck things with (although you'd be surprised what fits in a RAV4 when you try), and just enjoy.
At one point I wanted flexible suspension on big tires. I wanted long travel suspension for whoops. I've also favored big tires and no/low lift.

Now, I'm looking at trucks with lifts. Big Blocks in stock trucks. Also eyeballing fancy packages. Looking up vintage accessories of dubious value. 25 year old me would have raised an eyebrow and judged me harshly. Meanwhile I want the things I saw but couldn't have when I was younger.

Anybody else living this now as we age?
Click to expand...
I have to say , I didn't have a running square for about 6 months, and once I got one running again it put a smile on my face right away.

Its not all fun, maintenance and such, but it's worth it.
 
I just hope to finish my major projects while Im still healthy enough. @ 67 I see that window is closing two quickly.
I built the Iron Maiden @ 52-53yrs old. Could work on it for. 4-6 hours a day, they work the evening shift. Physical limits were minimal, but 45 yrs of physical labor jobs have taken their toll. Extra pounds don’t help either.
Do it while you still have good health, because once you lose it, you become limited at enjoying life.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Anybody else notice this?

I turned 16 in 1994. I grew up with big, lifted trucks mud bogging or going to The Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan. Even non-enthusiasts had trucks and SUV's just for driving around in Michigan winters. I remember starting to see sport trucks and low riders, not understanding them but seeing them, and then vaguely hearing of people out west doing weird things with Jeeps.
Joined the Marines in '97 and spent the next four years mostly in San Diego, CA. Read Four Wheeler and 4-Wheel & Off-Road, discovered forums including this one, and saw a prerunner for the first time. Discovered the desert and rocky trails. Went on to own a variety of 4x4's from small Japanese 4x4's to a CUCV M1008 1 ton on 38's to my wife's luxury SUV Yukon (I specifically ordered it so it has low range!).

Anybody else living this now as we age?
Click to expand...

So you're a little bit older than me, but we both stumbled around the same forums decades ago such as ORC. Mr. Payne/willyswanter not making it made me look on life a little different and he was between us in age. I also had an older dude I mowed lawn for as a kid that used to tell me "live while you can, but just make sure there is enough left when you're old like me with bad body parts to be able to afford decent TV and malt-o-meal. You will never look back on life and say you wish you slept more or watched more TV."

I used to live the rat race to its fullest, made a lot of money. Also spent a lot of money. Not sure where it went. My wife doesn't understand what it's like to be an only child, but she also grew up fairly poor. So she also knows how to save, but she also is good at poor people rich (spend it fast and stupid). I now value my time a little more, and I'm also less tolerant to people spending my money, including my wife. My wife will tell me it's stupid to spend money on my hobbies, then promptly tell me she's going on vacation with her Mom to Switzerland. This causes contention to the point where if she doesn't stop thinking she's InstasnaptwatTok rich it'll be a real problem. Keep in mind that my wife makes less than a quarter of what I do gross, and less than 10% of what hits our bank account each month is hers.

I have been maxing out my 401k since I joined the real workforce 20 years ago. Even if I never put another penny in it the rest of my life, there is enough in there to live more comfortably than my parents do today on my Dad's GM pension. I am going to continue to max out my 401k, but I worry less about retirement now than before (still fret over healthcare a bit). I plan on retiring in 7 years and switch to Wade-style retirement until I can draw 401k.

I sold a ton of shit, especially squarebody shit, during the pandemic. Like those $150 NP241s I was selling for $1200. Stuff I'll likely never use. I started paring back a lot of my stuff during the pandemic... they switched us to a 110gal rolling cart after me forcing them to dump my Rubbermaid trash cans and I haven't gone a week without it full to the brim. It's a lot easier when you start tossing stuff you won't use. No one cares about heirlooms or cool old shit anymore.

The pandemic killed off a bunch of people I knew and then I also realized that I wasn't getting younger when in the middle of the Pandemic $11 2x4s a tree fell on my garage and I had to fix it by myself as my wife injured her tailbone in the first hour of stripping the roof and my Dad was dealing with pneumonia. Inflation has eaten up a ton of my buying power (I used to quit paying FICA in August, now I quit paying it in November). These things also made me start rethinking age versus value.

I bought a 2014 JKUR earlier this year... then a motorhome... and put a bunch of money into both. My wife finally caved on getting the motorhome because she realized everyone is getting old. I have Gladiator Powerstop Brakes, RCVs, 5.13s, Synergy 1" Coils, Nemesis fenders, Fox Factory Race 2.5 shocks, Fox IFP2 bumps, and Adams 1350 shafts waiting to go in it. I got a deal on all of it, sufficiently so even if I had to sell it I wouldn't get hosed too bad. My wife is not happy with any of the purchases, but not so unhappy that she is willing to fight about it (except the Jeep purchase that I made with the sales of all my parts... and all the upgrade parts).

None of it was a need nor a sufficient want... we need new windows in the living room and we want new daily drivers. But you can't take it with you when you die. And maybe it's because I don't have children, but I plan on dying destitute after I spent all my money before I didn't care anymore. No one is going to give a shit about me when I'm even older, certainly not enough to make sure I don't end up in the finest state-run sunset acres where I'll get all the bed sores.

So what I'm saying is, do some math. Figure out what things are worth to you and what matters, then try to get alignment with your partner in crime. Even if you don't get alignment, remember you have more good days behind you than ahead, and a tiny fraction of them are likely to be great days.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Why do stock and stockish K5’s with BBC’s, 383’s, and LS’s make me smile?
Click to expand...
Because they are good. Despite my rig with the house on the back my 8.1 makes me smile every time I drive it. Mainly, it don’t care it’s carrying the house and all the crap I bring with me. Having big block power with a manual transmission is just plain fun. The way it feels pulling hard up a freeway on ramp rowing the gears and hearing the engine bark through the pipes has a way of just putting a stupid grin on one’s face.

To quote Ferris Bueller: It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up"
 
ashleymaz said:
I needed a good mpg, reliable commuter - not another $40-50,000 new pickup to do the same thing at half the mpg.
Click to expand...
Just a thought - not all motor swaps need to be a huge investment that breaks the bank.
A stock 454 taken from a donor vehicle such as a Suburban will give you everything needed and you’d be surprised of the similarities of mileage numbers between a 350 and a 454 that is not at maximum GVWR most all of the time or kept in the higher revs due to C/K-30 axle ratios.

Don’t fear the extra cubic inches but rather embrace them and all the benefits that come with them - I refer you back to ZOOMAD’s quote from ole Ferris…and will add another oldie but goodie “There’s no substitute for cubic inches”.
The torque of a big-block will change your driving style and habits - do it and never look back !

Not all of them have to look like this
1770419726623.png
 
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tarussell said:
Just a thought - not all motor swaps need to be a huge investment that breaks the bank.
A stock 454 taken from a donor vehicle such as a Suburban will give you everything needed and you’d be surprised of the similarities of mileage numbers between a 350 and a 454 that is not at maximum GVWR most all of the time or kept in the higher revs due to C/K-30 axle ratios.

Don’t fear the extra cubic inches but rather embrace them and all the benefits that come with them - I refer you back to ZOOMAD’s quote from ole Ferris…and will add another oldie but goodie “There’s no substitute for cubic inches”.
The torque of a big-block will change your driving style and habits - do it and never look back !

Not all of them have to look like this
View attachment 521703
Click to expand...
I agree and I went from a gmt400 1500 with a 5.7 getting 10 mpg to a gmt400 2500 with the 7.4 getting 12 mpg.
I am hoping my other square with the 2003 8.1 I am putting in with an nv4500, gets more like 18-20 mpg based on what the guys here are getting with a little tweaking of the ecm.
 
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